6 minute read
FEATURE: DEVELOPMENT
Not your average club space
Multi-seasonal spaces put a contemporary twist on the casual club approach at The Sherwood.
-By Molly Nicholas.
TAKING UP RESIDENCE in Southwest Sydney’s former Wests Tennis Club, The Sherwood opened its doors in November welcoming members old and new to enjoy alfresco dining and live entertainment year-round.
As the newest addition to the Wests Group Macarthur portfolio, The Sherwood is situated a short distance from the Western Suburbs League Club on Leumeah Road and sits in the shadow of Campbelltown Stadium.
Under the helm of venue manager Julia Maulguet, The Sherwood brings an immersive sport viewing and open-air dining experience to a pub style venue. Licensed for over 850 patrons, the venue centres around a main bar at the heart of the venue servicing communal indoor and outdoor dining spaces with an 11sqm sports viewing screen.
Daniel Perkiss, CEO of Wests Group Macarthur, shared his excitement about the opening, which marks a new milestone direction for the group.
“Wests is incredibly proud of the brand and the venue, and excited about the future. It is a dynamic new venue, with a great vibe and is set to deliver a solid offering of fantastic food, great prices, entertainment, and promotions to keep visitors coming back for more.
“The Sherwood offers a great casual alternative for the nontraditional clubgoer including the younger demographic, local trades and professionals, and travelling social groups as well as sports-loving crowds who are more comfortable in a casual pub-style setting.”
The Sherwood offers a great casual alternative for the nontraditional clubgoer including the younger demographic, local trades and professionals.
-Daniel Perkiss, CEO, Wests Group Macarthur
Speaking about the choice to demolish the Tennis Club to make way for the new venue, Perkiss explains that it was in need of a refresh and capacity increase to be brought in line with the quality offering of the other Wests venues. With multimillion-dollar investment, the space has been transformed into a venue that is entirely unrecognisable from the Tennis Club that once occupied it.
“Wests Group Macarthur amalgamated with the Tennis Club in 2007 and ran the operation of the clubhouse, tennis courts, tennis shop, function rooms, and a successful Chinese restaurant over many years.
“The Tennis Club was closed at the same time as Covid closures in 2020. When trade started to resume, rather than reopen the former club, Wests took the opportunity to kick start the construction on a promise to bring our members something new, exciting, and not seen before from Wests Group Developments.
“Curtin Architects were appointed to complete this development having worked on major renovations at Wests League Club and up to 20 other projects of varying size and complexity within the Wests Group portfolio.
“Curtin appointed interior designer Ruth Harris from Redwah Design Studio to collaborate on The Sherwood project for her inspiring take on hospitality, and commercial design that has been nurtured by a lifetime of immersive international travel and creative exploration.”
Refreshing renovation
When conceptualising the new venue, the decision was made to create connected spaces with a multiseasonal element and connection to the outdoors. Comprising a large courtyard, indoor-outdoor dining areas and a sports lounge, the venue is finished with a classic retro design style.
Perkiss said: “A great alternative to the regular club layout of multi-level, breakout rooms and multiple eateries, The Sherwood is a vibrant, modern venue offering an impressive openplan design, a main central bar with a focus on communal dining, sports viewing and an indooroutdoor courtyard.
“Our team has achieved a tavern style open feel, complemented by an enormous four-anda-half metre by two-and-a-half metre outdoor screen to deliver optimum sports viewing and ontrend dining in a package not traditionally seen by club operators.
“The Sherwood delivers an up-to-the-minute venue aesthetic with an eclectic mix of colours, textures, and patterns. The brand style nods gently to retro theming with various floral patterns, lighting, and tiles that are trendy and modern but in a familiar, nostalgic way.”
As part of Wests Group’s commitment to community, the design references the local area with a map of Campbelltown incorporated into the exterior panelling and carpet in addition to Robin Hood-inspired features including a large graffiti style mural by local artist Joe Quilter.
“The mix of premium finishes were selected for durability with references to the surrounding environment including perforated mesh screens reflecting the tennis courts next door, greens and teals of the landscape woven through the interior and exterior, and natural materials like marble and wood to help ground the space,” added Perkiss.
“Gaming delivers a new experience with a spacious mix of light tones in the joinery, bronzed patterned panelling, and impressive LED offerings with generous booths and premium lighting and chairs creating an opulent gaming experience in a casual venue environment.”
Accompanying the retro design choices is a food and beverage experience reminiscent of a nostalgic milk bar. Borrowing familiar flavours from classic club menus, the menu features share plates, snacks and mains, including an entire section dedicated to hand-smashed burgers.
Share-style dishes feature prominently including classics such as beef nachos, pork belly cubes and chicken wings, and refined options such as Roku gin cured kingfish. Complementing the selection of signature Sherwood dishes is a cocktail menu, wine list and wide selection of tap beers.
By putting a modern spin on the classic club offering, Wests Group sets out to broaden its appeal and attract a diverse demographic. Although The Sherwood will honour the values and traditions of the club industry, Perkiss says that a contemporary and casual approach will appeal to the local demographic.
“The Sherwood is the perfect destination venue primarily targeted at 18–35-year-olds and the young at heart looking for premium live music, the latest trends in food and a great casual atmosphere.
“In addition to targeting a new demographic interested in good times and good vibes, The Sherwood will also appeal to the true locals and multi-generational groups familiar with the former Wests Tennis Club. It will also offer specials and promotions representing great value with full access to West’s impressive group-wide promotions as well as promote a great precinct experience for those attending sport at Campbelltown Stadium.”
“We are positioning the venue as another new and exciting place for them to enjoy. We aim to be considered another local, where we welcome new and old to enjoy the high standard of food, customer service and experience our members have come to expect from Wests Group Macarthur venues.
“We want the Sherwood to be a destination people are excited about and keep coming back to week after week.”
